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Michelle Collins to leave Coronation Street | Michelle Collins to leave Coronation Street |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Actress Michelle Collins, who plays Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, has confirmed she will leave ITV soap Coronation Street next year. | Actress Michelle Collins, who plays Rovers Return landlady Stella Price, has confirmed she will leave ITV soap Coronation Street next year. |
The former EastEnders star described the role, which she began playing in 2011, as "a revelation". | The former EastEnders star described the role, which she began playing in 2011, as "a revelation". |
But added: "Creatively I need to play other roles". | But added: "Creatively I need to play other roles". |
Producer Stuart Blackburn wished the actress "every happiness" and promised "the tour de force that is Stella Price will leave with a bang". | Producer Stuart Blackburn wished the actress "every happiness" and promised "the tour de force that is Stella Price will leave with a bang". |
Collins, 51, will leave the programme at the end of her current contract next April, with her final scenes expected to be aired in June 2014. | Collins, 51, will leave the programme at the end of her current contract next April, with her final scenes expected to be aired in June 2014. |
Her character has been at the centre of a number of traumatic storylines since she took up the role two years ago, including reuniting with her estranged daughter Leanne and a turbulent relationship with gambling addict Karl. | Her character has been at the centre of a number of traumatic storylines since she took up the role two years ago, including reuniting with her estranged daughter Leanne and a turbulent relationship with gambling addict Karl. |
"So much has happened to the character since we discovered she was Leanne's real Mum," said Collins. | "So much has happened to the character since we discovered she was Leanne's real Mum," said Collins. |
"From catching Karl with barmaid Sunita to her near-death experience in the Rovers fire - I've loved playing Stella and will be very sorry to leave her behind. | "From catching Karl with barmaid Sunita to her near-death experience in the Rovers fire - I've loved playing Stella and will be very sorry to leave her behind. |
"Creatively I need to play other roles and I've ambitions as an actress that I'd like to fulfil. | "Creatively I need to play other roles and I've ambitions as an actress that I'd like to fulfil. |
"I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my daughter Maia." | "I'm also looking forward to spending more time with my daughter Maia." |
'Matriarch' | 'Matriarch' |
Scriptwriters are currently working on Stella's departure. | Scriptwriters are currently working on Stella's departure. |
"When an actor decides to leave a programme like Corrie, it means the writing team can creatively scale new heights," said producer Blackburn. | "When an actor decides to leave a programme like Corrie, it means the writing team can creatively scale new heights," said producer Blackburn. |
"Her character has made a tremendous impact and has deservedly earned her the status of a classic Coronation Street matriarch." | "Her character has made a tremendous impact and has deservedly earned her the status of a classic Coronation Street matriarch." |
Sue Johnston, who plays Collins' on-screen mother, Gloria, is also expected to leave the soap around the same time. | Sue Johnston, who plays Collins' on-screen mother, Gloria, is also expected to leave the soap around the same time. |
The award-winning soap has suffered a number of blows this year. | The award-winning soap has suffered a number of blows this year. |
Long-running stars William Roache and Michael Le Vell are involved in separate legal proceedings, and have been temporarily written out of the show. | Long-running stars William Roache and Michael Le Vell are involved in separate legal proceedings, and have been temporarily written out of the show. |
Earlier this week, actor Chris Fountain - who played Tommy Duckworth - was sacked by the show following his exposure as a masked rapper who posted strongly worded videos online about sexual violence. |
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